Birkhouse Moor & Catstye Cam circular walk

Sunday 20th April 2025

Birkhouse Moor & Catstye Cam circular walk.

Two weeks of looking after 3 very young Grandchildren has kept me away from the fells - now I'm clear of my Grandparent responsibilities I can enjoy some playtime myself.

When Ste suggested we head for the Lakes to help his son in his quest to bag all the Wainwrights I jumped at the chance, even if it was Easter Sunday - A very busy day at the best of times, but with good weather forecast, we realised we should get there early.

So parked up safely at Glenridding at 9am (albeit in the Overflow car park) we set off to visit Birkhouse Moor and Catstye Cam - two fells that Robert could add to his collection.

The second of these would be Catstye Cam, a fell that I haven't actually been to that many times - but one that always helps me identify all the 'Wainwrights' that are on view, wherever I am in the lakes (providing it can be seen of course). Catstye Cam has a very unmistakable shape, and from spotting its symmetrical pyramid profile - I can always work out the surrounding fells - Helvellyn, Dollywaggon, Nethermost etc …. I'd say its downfall is that there's not a great deal of scope for new and different circular routes to climb it. It's either an 'add on' from the standard Helvellyn circular, or a trip up Birkhouse Moor and back to Glenridding. Nonetheless, it's a fine peak - a real mountain profile, best done when the fells have their winter coats on, as the central views are captivating.

As for Birkhouse Moor - well, nothing much to add there, barely noticeable as you follow the striding edge convoy.

The information contained in the material on this Website is for information purposes only and does not constitute advice.

Distance: 8.5 miles

Duration: 5:15 hours

Ascent: 2802 ft

Difficulty: Hard

Accompanied By: Ste & Robert

Weather: Warm & Sunny

Wainwrights Visited

Birkhouse Moor Catstye Cam

3D outline of route

Parking

It's going to be busy here today, 9am and the overflow car park is filling up fast.

Two youngsters over there dying to get started on the climb.

Glenridding with the aptly named Glenridding Beck. Scene of devastation back in December 2015 and Storm Desmond. Following a month of heavy rainfall, the full force of the storm hit Glenridding. Frantic efforts to protect homes and businesses proved fruitless as the full devastating impact of the storm hit. Glenridding beck burst its banks in the village in the early evening and the next morning was flowing freely down Eagle lane, across the car park, and right through the Glenridding Hotel, bringing with it thousands of tonnes of silt, gravel and stone, carried down the fells from landslips all the way up to Helvellyn. The village was cut off – the lake road was impassable, and the road between Glenridding and Patterdale was underwater for three days.

All the defences are now in place and an impressive stone wall gives the village it's protection for any future floods.

On the other side of the valley - Sheffield Pike and Glenridding Dodd.

As we gain height - the views back to Ullswater are impressive and continue to get better all the way up.

Looking over to St Sunday Crag with the One Tree in the foreground.

Looking back down the grassy path towards Ullswater and Place Fell.

The tree fencing provides the landmark for two different descents (or ascents I guess) as we join a stone path which roughly follows the route of Mires Beck.

Another vantage point with great views.

As the ground levels, we get our first sighting of Catstye Cam - the pyramid shaped beauty straight ahead.

We also were now surrounded by a convoy of day trip walkers enjoying the good weather and no doubt all heading for Striding Edge and Helvellyn.

After initially missing the summit ! a quick double back to the large summit cairn which is just slightly north of the main path. The highest point of Birkhouse Moor is actually a little further on along the wall - but this summit will do us.

Following the wall as most folk head for the well known 'Hole in the Wall'

However, we depart from the throng and head slightly downwards towards Red Tarn.

A pleasant spot for lunch in front of Red Tarn and the Eastern face of Helvellyn.

You probably can't see on this photo, but the length of Striding Edge (ridge shown here) was populated by walkers looking like something out of a Lowry painting all slowly making their way across like a column of vertical ants.

Our near deserted path traversed the side of Catstye Cam as we climbed up towards the opposite ridge.

A quick glance down to the shimmering surface of Red Tarn.

Nearly at the top.

Then a sharp right turn and it was the final haul up to the top.

Looking back towards Helvellyn and this time Swirral Edge.

A view from the top of Catstye Cam - I've never been here before without having the summit all to myself. Today, as you might expect, was not to be the case. However, I wasn't very impressed with the folk having their drinks and sandwiches on the summit cairn itself.

Obviously not seasoned walkers.